There’s no time like Christmas in Indianapolis, where you can’t help but feel the magic of the holiday season. From drive-thru Christmas light displays and performances of The Nutcracker to ice skating and train rides, there are SO many fun things for families this season!
Here are a few of our favorite holiday events, Christmas light displays, family-friendly activities, and beloved traditions this holiday season around Indianapolis.
The Ultimate Guide to Holiday Fun around Indianapolis
Best Family-Friendly Holiday Attraction
- Festival of Trees | Nov 11-Jan 7
- Christmas at the Zoo | Nov 19-Dec 30
- Winterlights at Newfields | Nov 19-Jan 8
- Jingle Rails | Nov. 19-Jan 16
- A Merry Prairie Holiday | Nov. 25-Dec. 22
- Conservatory Crossing | Nov. 25-Dec. 31
- Celebration Crossing – Nov. 25-Jan. 1
- Jolly Days Winter Wonderland | Nov. 25-Jan. 2,
- Sullivan Express to the North Pole |Nov. 25-Dec. 23
Sullivan Express to the North Pole - Reindeer Ride Express | Nov. 19-23
- The Polar Express: The IMAX 3D Experience | Nov. 28-Dec. 15
Best Christmas Light Displays
- Nights of Lights | Nov 11-Jan 2
- Christmas at the Zoo | Nov 19-Dec 30
- A Merry Prairie Holiday | Nov. 25-Dec. 22
A Merry Prairie Holiday at Conner Prairie - Magic of Lights at Ruoff Music Center | Nov 18-Dec 30
- Downtown Indy Inc.’s Circle of Lights | Tree Lighting on Nov. 25
- Dasher’s Lightshow | Nov. 25-Dec. 31
- Winterlights at Newfields | Nov 19-Jan 8
- The Holiday Stroll | Nov. 25-Dec. 23
- Nights of Lights at Mounds State Park| Fri-Sun in December & Jan 1
- The Lighted Trail | Dec. 3-31
The Best of the Holiday
- The Best Christmas Tree Farms Near Indianapolis
- Where to Have Breakfast with Santa Around Indy
- 7 Local Indy Bakers Making Hot Cocoa Bombs This Season
- Santa Mailboxes: Where to Mail a Letter to Santa in Indianapolis
- 10 Cool Local Toy Stores in Indianapolis
- Where to Meet Santa’s Reindeer in Indianapolis and around Indiana
- Where to see the Nutcracker Ballet in Indianapolis
- The Best Indoor & Outdoor Ice Skating
- The Best Places to see Christmas Lights in Indianapolis
- 7 Best Holiday Train Rides in Indiana
Holiday Markets & Christkindlmarkts
- Christmas Gift & Hobby Show | Nov. 9-13
- Heritage Farm Artisan Christmas Market | Nov. 11-12
- St. Luke’s Holiday Bazaar | Nov. 12
- Junior League Holiday Mart | Nov. 17 | 20
- Carmel Christkindlmarkt – Nov. 19 -Dec. 30
Carmel Christkindlmarkt - Athenaeum Christkindlmarkt – Nov. 25 -Dec. 18
- Holiday Village and Market | Nov. 27
- Holiday Author Fair | Dec. 3
- Cumberland Weihnachtsmarkt – Dec. 3
Holiday Performances
- AES Indiana Yuletide Celebration | Hilbert Circle Theatre | Dec. 2-23
AES Indiana Yuletide Celebration - Peanut Butter & Jam: Holiday Cabaret on Strings | The Studio Theater at The Center for the Performing Arts | Dec. 10
- Charles Dickens’ a Christmas Carol | Indiana Repertory Theatre | Nov.19-Dec.24
- It’s a Wonderful Life | Beef & Boards | Nov. 25-Dec. 23
- A Christmas Carol | Beef & Boards | Dec. 2-20
- The Snow Queen | The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis | Nov. 25-Jan. 1
Outdoor Ice Skating
- Penguin Park at Washington Township Park (Synthetic Ice Rink) | Nov. 11-Feb. 26
- The Ice at Center Green | Nov. 19-Feb. 26
Photo Credit: facebook.com/carmelchristkindlmarkt/ - Ice Rink at Holliday Park | Nov. 25-Jan. 29
- Lawrence Civic Plaza | Nov. 26-Dec. 29
- Winterfest at Mulberry Fields Park | Dec. 9-Jan. 9
- Federal Hill Commons Ice Plaza | Dec. 9-Jan. 2
Free Holiday Events
- Christmas in Pendleton | Nov. 12
- The Nutcracker Storytime with Central Indiana Dance Ensemble | Nov. 22
- Christmas in the Village: Parade Day | Nov. 26
- Circle of Lights | Nov. 25
Circle of Lights - Fishers Winter Wonderland | Dec. 3
- Victorian Christmas Celebration | Dec. 3
- Fortville Winterfest | Dec. 3
- Holiday in the Arts District | Dec. 3
- Westfield in Lights | Dec. 3
Westfield in Lights; Photo Credit: facebook.com/WestfieldWelcome - Cumberland Weihnachtsmarkt | Dec. 3
- Broad Ripple Lights Up Holiday Festival and Parade | Dec. 4
- Meet Santa’s Reindeer | Dec. 3, 10, 17
meet-and-greet Santa’s Reindeer - Christmas Express at Brookside | Dec. 10
- Holidays Around the World | Dec. 10
- Holly Jolly Jamboree | Dec. 10
- Santa’s Workshop | Dec. 10
- Franklin Holiday Lighting | Dec. 10
Holiday Lighting Franklin - Visit Santa at Hussey-Mayfield Memorial Public Library | Dec. 12
- Reindeer on Main | Dec. 17
- Christmas Under the Stars
- Christmas Eve Luminaries | Dec. 24
- FREE Admission to The Children’s Museum Christmas Eve | Dec. 24
Christmas Eve at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
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